[-empyre-] week one | mobile apps and environmental performance

[Jeff Schmuki]

Hello Dale and All,

PlantBot Genetics began as a street-based project where we would release
PlantBots into public spaces.  These humorous PlantBot Invasions would
easily draw attention, and once someone stops for a moment, they will ask a
question. Humor is a vital ingredient as it creates a safe place for the
discussion to occur.  Those visiting hopefully come away empowered through
links, published information, and guidelines for better food and
environmental practices at home. Today we often use an 18’ off-grid,
trailer (ArtLab) converted into a mobile platform containing a library of
information and hands-on activities. Most are surprised at the
proliferation of GM products in the market and being unlabeled, we all are
consuming them. Is it better to have a choice? When the project began in
2009, most were unaware of GMOs and wanted to learn more. Today many do
know and while some just want to play with the PlantBots, complex
discussions on supporting transparency in food labeling, supporting local
farming, composting, pollinator decline and native plants, always
transpire. Everyone seems to have a good time and PlantBot fun transcends
language wherever we are. GM research is being done worldwide today, and is
a complex issue yet, "what will it all become" is an interesting question.
PlantBot Genetics believes conversations from these events is powerful and
provides the opportunities for change, whether it be at the individual
level or through community-wide discourse. Most recently we have been
focusing on pollinator decline in the US and abroad.
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